Deck drain and associated methods

ABSTRACT

A deck drain system may include a deck drain having an elongate tube which may be defined by a bottom portion and a top portion. The bottom portion may include an arcuate shape. The top portion may be flat and include an opening. A removable top member may engage the opening formed in the top portion of the elongate tube. The removable top member may include a main body portion which includes a plurality of slots. The plurality of slots formed in the removable top member may include a spacing therebetween that is substantially similar to the spacing between the plurality of slots formed in the top portion. The removable top member may be removeably connected to the top portion of the elongate tube so that, when removed, an interior portion of the elongate tube is accessible.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to field of drainage and, morespecifically, to the field of deck drains to be used in connection withpools surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Swimming pools are a common feature for many residential and commercialproperties. Since some people do not live near an ocean, river, or otherlarge body of water, a swimming pool allows for recreational fun andaquatic exercises in areas that would not have it by natural means. Inother instances, swimming pools provide a more controlled environmentfor people to enjoy the activity of swimming. Many people also enjoyswimming pools because they can be conveniently accessed.

The immediate area surrounding the pool can become wet as a result ofthe splashing and/or people entering or leaving the pool. Therefore, thearea around the pool must have proper drainage so that the surroundingarea can be kept as dry as possible, and to prevent water buildup and/orintrusion into adjacent structures. Rain water can also collect on theimmediate area surrounding the pool and it is undesirable for the pooldeck to remain wet, or to have standing water on the pool deck. Further,when there may be heavy rains, pools may overflow, causing water tocollect on the pool deck.

Most pools include deck drains installed at an offset distance between aperimeter of the pool and an adjacent structure to assist in drainingthe area surrounding the pool so that water does not collect adjacent tothe structure and, if too much water is allowed to collect, cause waterintrusion into the structure. The deck drain is designed to provide apath of drainage for standing water between the pool and any adjacentstructure. The water that is displaced from the pool is allowed to flowback into the pool or into a secondary drainage area via a drainagesystem that connects to the deck drain.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,792,723 to Stegmeier, Sr. et al. (hereafter referred toas Stegmeier) discloses a deck drain. The deck drain of Stegmeierincludes a plurality of slots that drain the water from the platformthat surrounds the pool. However, the deck drain disclosed in Stegmeiercan be readily clogged, and does not provide access within the drain tofacilitate easy cleaning.

Deck drains with a removable top are available from Aquamasters USAhttp://www.aquamasters.com/frontierremovabetopdrain.htm. The deck drainprovided by Aquamasters includes a bottom portion and a top portion. Thetop portion, referred to as the cap, includes a pair of lips that extendfrom the bottom of the cap. The lips extend the longitudinal length ofthe deck drain and fit into the deck drain by snapping into place,matingly engaging the top of the bottom portion of the Aquamasters deckdrain. The Aquamasters deck drain does not enable a user to partiallyremove a top portion or cap of the deck drain. Instead, the Aquamastersdeck drain is made to replace an entire drain, and is not suitable forretrofitting an existing drain. Accordingly, installation cost of theAquamasters deck drain may be high.

A need exists for a deck drain that provides a top portion that ispartially removable. This background information is provided to revealinformation believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to thepresent invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should beconstrued, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior artagainst the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the foregoing in mind, the present invention is related to a deckdrain system that has a removable top member. The deck drain systemaccording to embodiments of the present invention may advantageouslyallow for simplified cleaning of a deck drain. The deck drain system mayalso allow for more efficient draining of the pool area. The deck drainsystem according to embodiments of the present invention alsoadvantageously allows for retrofitting an existing deck drain system toprovide simplified cleaning.

These and other objects, features and advantages according to thepresent invention are provided by a deck drain system including a deckdrain having an elongate tube which may be defined by a bottom portionand a top portion. The bottom portion may include an arcuate shape. Thetop portion may be flat and include an opening. A removable top membermay engage the opening formed in the top portion of the elongate tube.The removable top member may include a main body portion which includesa plurality of slots. The main body portion may include a first end anda second end opposite the first end. The main body portion may alsoinclude a bottom portion, a top portion opposite the bottom portion, afirst passageway formed adjacent the second end, and a second passagewayformed adjacent the first passageway. The top portion of the elongatetube may include a plurality of slots. The plurality of slots formed inthe removable top member may include a spacing therebetween that issubstantially similar to spacing between the plurality of slots formedin the top portion. The removable top member may be removeably connectedto the top portion of the elongate tube so that, when removed, aninterior portion of the elongate tube is accessible.

The removable top member may include a first locking tab formed on abottom portion of the removable top member, adjacent to the first end ofthe main body. The removable top member may also include a secondlocking tab opposite the first locking tab that is removeably connectedto the removable top member. The second locking tab may include a bottomlocking tab member and a top locking tab member. The bottom locking tabmember and the top locking member may be adapted to matingly engage oneanother.

The top locking tab member may include a bottom lock tab and a positionlock member both extending downwardly from a bottom portion thereof. Thebottom lock tab may be adapted to engage a first passageway of theremovable top member. The position lock member may be adapted to engagethe second passageway of the removable top member.

The bottom locking tab member may include an opening. The bottom lockingtab member may further include a pair of lips so that the bottom locktab engages the first passageway of the removable top member and theopening of the bottom locking tab member. The lips of the bottom lockingtab member may engage a pair of wall portions of the bottom lock tab.

The second locking tab may be positionable between a locked position andan unlocked position. The locked position may securely attach theremovable top member to the top portion of the elongate tube. Theremovable top member may be detachable from the top portion of theelongate tube when in the unlocked position.

The deck drain system may also include a space formed between the mainbody portion of the removable top member and the first locking tab. Aspace may also be formed between the main body portion of the removabletop member and the second locking tab so that the first and secondlocking tabs engage the top portion of the elongate tube when theremovable top member engages the opening formed in the top portion ofthe elongate tube.

A method aspect of the present invention is for utilizing a removabletop member that matingly engages an opening formed in a deck drain. Themethod may include positioning the removable top member over the openingof a top portion of the deck drain and positioning the second lockingtab in a locked position. The method may also include detaching theremovable top member by moving the second locking tab to an unlockedposition, which may, in turn, expose an interior portion of the deckdrain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a removable top member for use inconnection with a deck drain system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the removable top member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the components of theremovable top member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a deck drain system according toan embodiment of the present invention having portions cut away.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view along line X-Y of FIG. 4 of the deckdrain system of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a removabletop member according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of the removabletop member of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Those ofordinary skill in the art realize that the following descriptions of theembodiments of the present invention are illustrative and are notintended to be limiting in any way. Other embodiments of the presentinvention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons havingthe benefit of this disclosure. Like numbers refer to like elementsthroughout.

In this detailed description of the present invention, a person skilledin the art should note that directional terms, such as “above,” “below,”“upper,” “lower,” and other like terms are used for the convenience ofthe reader in reference to the drawings. Also, a person skilled in theart should notice this description may contain other terminology toconvey position, orientation, and direction without departing from theprinciples of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, an embodiment of a deck drain system willnow be discussed. The deck drain system may include a deck drain 40 anda removable top member 10. The deck drain 40 may also include anelongate tube 17 defined by a bottom portion 16 and a top portion 12.The bottom portion 16 may have an arcuate shape, and the top portion 12may be substantially flat. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatuse of the term “substantially flat” is meant to indicate a surface thatis flat in shape, but that may not be completely flat. In other words,the top portion 12 may have some minimal curvature to it, and may notnecessarily be completely flat. The term “substantially,” as usedherein, is to be given its common dictionary definition such as, forexample, “of or pertaining to the essence of a thing; essential,material, or important.” The top portion 12 may be defined as having awidth that extends between the sides of the deck drain 40. For example,the top portion 12 may be connected to a pair of sidewalls 18 thatextend downwardly therefrom. The sidewalls 18 may extend downwardly fromthe top portion 12 to the bottom portion 16 which, as disclosed above,preferably has an arcuate shape. The sidewalls 18 may be spaced apartfrom one another substantially the same width as the top portion 12 atthe connecting point between the sidewalls and the top portion. As thesidewalls 18 extend downwardly, the width therebetween may be narrowedto a width that is smaller than the width of the top portion 12. Thesidewalls 18 are then connected to the bottom portion 16 at the bottomof the sidewalls.

The sidewalls 18 are illustratively symmetrical as they extend from thetop portion 12 to the bottom portion 16. Those skilled in the art willappreciate, however, that the sidewalls 18 do not necessarily need toextend symmetrical to one another to achieve the goals, features andobjectives of the present invention. Instead, the sidewalls 18 can haveany shape as they extend from the top portion 12 to the bottom portion16. The sidewalls 18 illustratively include a slope portion toadvantageously allow for water that flows into the deck drain to bechanneled to the bottom portion 16. Those skilled in the art will alsoappreciate that the sidewalls 18 can be configured in any manner thatwill allow water to flow through the slots 13 (discussed in greaterdetail below) formed in the top portion 12 to the bottom portion 16.

As further illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the sidewalls 18 may have afirst portion 18 a, a second portion 18 b, and a third portion 18 c. Thefirst portion 18 a may extend downwardly in a configuration that isorthogonal, or substantially orthogonal, to the top portion 12. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that use of the term “substantiallyorthogonal” is meant to encompass a first portion 18 a of the sidewallthat may extend downwardly at 90° from the top portion 12, and alsoencompass a first portion of the sidewall that extends downwardly from arange of between about 75° and 105°. Those skilled in the art will stillappreciate that although an example of a range between about 75° and105° is provided, any range is contemplated while still achieving thegoals, features and objectives of the present invention. The secondportion 18 b of the sidewall may slope in a general downward directionfrom the first portion 18 a of the sidewall. Accordingly, the slopeconfiguration of the second portion 18 b of the sidewalk advantageouslyallows for water, or other fluid, that enters the deck drain through theslots 13 in the top portion 12 to be directed downwardly to the bottomportion 16. The third portion 18 c of the sidewall extends downwardlyfrom the second portion 18 b of the sidewall to the bottom portion 16.Although illustrated as a generally vertically configured wall, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the third portion 18 c of thesidewall may have a different configuration while still accomplishingthe goals, features and objectives of the present invention.

The bottom portion 16 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 as having an arcuateshape, connected to the top portion 12 by the sidewalls 18. However,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the bottom portion 16 maybe connected to the top portion 12 by sidewalls that are straight orsubstantially straight. The bottom portion 16 may have a “U-shape”, acircular shape or a substantially square or rectangular shape. Thebottom portion may have any shape that is known in the art while stillaccomplishing the goals, features and objectives of the presentinvention.

The deck drain 40 may also include an opening 14 formed in the topportion 12 defined by interior sidewalls 20. The top portion 12 of theelongate tube 17 may include a plurality of slots 13 formed therein. Thetop portion 12 may enable drainage of the deck area or the perimeter ofthe pool area by allowing fluid to flow into the deck drain 40 via theslots 13. In the present invention, the fluid that filters through theslots 13 collects in the bottom portion 16 which may be connected to apool or secondary drainage area for the fluid to flow into. The slots 13may be a plurality of spaced apart slots each having an elongate shape.The slots 13 illustrated in the deck drain 40 of the present inventionare illustratively symmetrically spaced apart. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate, however, that the slots 13 may have any spacingtherebetween. Further, the slots 13 illustrated in the deck drain 40 mayinclude a linear and ovular shape. This shape is exemplary in nature,and the slots 13 of the deck drain 40 according to embodiments of thepresent invention may have any shape that allows fluid to passtherethrough. For example, it is contemplated that the shape of theslots may be polygonal, circular, or any other shape that stillaccomplishes the goals, features and objectives of the presentinvention.

The top portion 12 may also include an opening 14. The removable topmember 10 may be designed to fit into the opening 14. The opening 14 mayreveal an interior portion 19 of the deck drain 40. The opening 14formed in the top portion is illustrated with a rectangular shape. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the shape of the opening 14illustrated is only exemplary and that the shape of the opening 14 maybe circular or any other shape known in the art without departing fromthe scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will alsoappreciate that the shape of the removable top member 10 may be modifiedto match the shape of the opening 14 without departing from the scope ofthe invention. The opening 14 in the deck drain 40 may be advantageousas it enables a user to access the interior portion 19 of the deck drainso that the user may clean the deck drain 40 and/or remove any debristhat may be clogging the deck drain system. A skilled artisan wouldappreciate that the deck drain 40 is illustrated with a single removabletop member 10 for exemplary purposes. A skilled artisan would alsoappreciate that a deck drain 40 and its top portion 12 may be of such alength that a single opening 14 with a single removable top member 10may not be able to provide sufficient access to the interior portion 19of the deck drain. Therefore, it is contemplated in an embodiment of thepresent invention, that the deck drain 40 may include multiple openings14 and multiple removable top members 10 to enable sufficient access tothe interior portion 19 of the deck drain 40. The opening 14 may belocated substantially in the center of the deck drain 40, i.e., thecenter as measured from the sidewalls 18 of the deck drain. However, theopening 14 may be located on any section of the deck drain 40 along thetop portion 12 without departing from the scope of the invention. In analternative embodiment, the opening 14 may be located at one end or bothends of the top portion 12.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-5, the removable top member 10 may include amain body portion 1 having a plurality of slots 2. The spacing betweenthe plurality of slots 2 may be substantially similar to the spacingbetween the plurality of slots 13 formed in the top portion 12. Theremovable top member 10 illustrated in FIG. 3 is substantiallyrectangular. The shape of the removable top member 10, as was describedearlier, may be changed to match the shape and size of the opening 14without departing from the scope of the invention. Skilled artisanswould appreciate that the size of the removable member 10 may be adaptedto match the size of the deck drain 40 so that it exposes an interiorportion of an adequate size. The main body portion 1 may also include afirst end and a second end opposite the first end, a bottom portion and,a top portion opposite the bottom portion. The top portion of the mainbody portion 1 may be defined as the upper surface of the main bodyportion 1 and the bottom portion of the main body portion 1 may bedefined as the underside of the main body portion 1.

Referring now more specifically to FIG. 3, additional details of theremovable top member 10 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention are now disclosed. The removable top member 10 mayillustratively include a first passageway 8 formed adjacent the secondend, and a second passageway 9 formed adjacent the first passageway 8.The first passageway 8 may have a substantially rectangular shape andthe second passageway 9 may have a substantially circular shape. Skilledartisans will appreciate, however, that the shape of the first andsecond passageway 8, 9 may be altered or modified without departing fromthe scope of the invention. In a separate embodiment of the invention,the shape of the first and second passageways, 8, 9 respectively, mayboth be rectangular, or circular or any shape known in the art.

A first locking tab 7 may be formed on a bottom portion of the removabletop member 10 adjacent the first end of the main body portion 1. Morespecifically, the first locking tab 7 is positioned on an end of themain body portion 1 that is preferably opposite the end having the firstpassageway 8 formed therein. A skilled artisan would appreciate that thefirst locking tab 7 and the main body portion 1 may be integrally formedas a monolithic unit. A second locking tab 15 may be formed at thesecond end of the main portion 1 opposite the first end. The first andsecond locking tabs, 7 and 15 respectively, each engage the interiorsidewalls 20 (perhaps best illustrated in FIG. 4) when the removable topmember 10 engages the opening 14 formed in the deck drain 40. The secondlocking tab 15 may include a bottom locking tab member 5 and a toplocking tab member 3 which may be adapted to matingly engage one anotheras will be described further below. The first and second locking tabs, 7and 15 respectively, are formed so that a space is formed between theremovable top member 10 and each tab, 7 and 15. The space is slightlygreater than the thickness of the interior sidewalls 20. The spacebetween the removable top member 10 and the first locking tab 7 issubstantially similar to the space between the removable top member 10and the second locking tab 15. The space between the main body portion 1of the removable top member 10 and the tabs 7 and 15 enables theremovable top member 10 to seamlessly fit in the opening 14 of the deckdrain 40, by enabling the main body portion 1 and the tabs 7 and 15 tofit over the interior sidewalls 20.

The top locking tab member 3 may include a bottom lock tab 4 and aposition lock member 6 both extending downwardly from a bottom portionof the top locking tab member 3. The bottom lock tab 4 may be shaped asa pair of lips. Each lip may be shaped as a planar downward extension,and may include a ledge approximately half-way down the length of theextension. The ledge on each lip may face away from each other. One edgeof the ledge may be connected to the extension and the other end of theledge may be connected to the end of the extension to form asubstantially pointed tip that is at the opposite end of the top lockingmember 3. The position lock member 6 may be shaped as a smallcylindrical peg. Skilled artisans will appreciate that the shape of thebottom lock tab 4 may be modified without departing from the scope ofthe invention. Similarly, the shape of the position lock member 6 may bemodified without departing from the scope of the invention.

The bottom lock tab 4 may be adapted to engage the first passageway 8and the position lock member 6 may be adapted to engage the secondpassageway 9. The second locking tab 15 may be positionable between alocked position and an unlocked position. The locked position maysecurely attach the removable top member 10 to a deck drain 40. Theremovable top member 10 may be detachable from the deck drain 40 whenthe second locking tab 15 is in the unlocked position.

The bottom locking tab member 5 may be shaped as an elongated “Z”. Thebottom locking tab member 5 may include lower portion 5 a and upperportion 5 b. The upper portion 5 b is slightly elevated with regards tothe lower portion 5 a. The upper portion 5 b may include an opening 11 awhich may be defined as a rectangular space surrounded by walls 11 b.Skilled artisans will appreciate that the shape of the opening 11 a maybe changed without departing from the scope of the invention. The shapeof the opening 11 a may be circular or any other shape known in the artwhile still accomplishing the aims and objectives of the invention. Theupper portion 5 b may connect to the removable top member 10 when thebottom lock tab 4 engages the first passageway 8 and the opening 11 a ofthe bottom locking tab member 5.

When the upper portion 5 b of the bottom locking tab member 5 isconnected to the removable top member 10, a space is formed between theremovable top member 10 and the lower portion 5 a. This space isslightly greater that the thickness of the interior sidewall 20 of theopening 14. The space enables the second locking tab 15 to fit smoothlyagainst the interior sidewall 20 so that the removable member 10 can fitinto the opening 14 as described earlier.

The removable top member 10 may be secured to the deck drain 40 byplacing the second locking tab 15 in the locked position. The lockedposition may be defined as the bottom lock tab 4 engaging the firstpassageway 8, passing through the opening 11 a and gripping theunderside of the wall portions 11 b. In the locked position, theposition lock member 6 may engage the second passageway 9. When thesecond lock tab member 15 is in a locked position, the removable member10 remains securely in place in the opening 14 of the deck drain 40. Theunlocked position may be defined as position lock member 6 beingdisengaged from the second passageway 9. Disengaging the position lockmember 6 from the second passageway 9 may enable the second locking tab15 to release its grip on the deck drain 40 by moving the top lockingtab member 3 away from the interior sidewall 20 within the confines ofthe first passageway 8. Sliding the top locking tab member 3 away fromthe interior sidewall 20 may cause the bottom locking tab member 5 toalso slide in a similar direction as the top and bottom locking tabmembers, 3 and 5 respectively, remain connected when the position locktab member 6 is disengaged from the second passageway 9. Once the secondlocking tab 15 is no longer in a locked position, the removable topmember 10 may be detached to reveal the interior portion 19 of the deckdrain 40.

The deck drain 40 is designed for flush installation so that the surfaceof the surrounding area (for example a pool deck area) and the topportion 12 and the removable top member 10 form a substantially flat andcontinuous surface.

The deck drain 40 and the removable member 10 of the present inventionmay be made of any suitable material, preferably a polymeric material,such as Polyethylene, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), or other plasticmaterials, and/or metals and/or metal alloys, such as steel, galvanizedsteel, or stainless steel, optionally coated with a corrosion resistantcoating. Skilled artisans will appreciate that the list of materialsfrom which the invention may be manufactured, are merely examples andthat the deck drain system may be manufactured from any material knownin the art that provides advantages similar to the materials listed.

The deck drain 40 may have any suitable length, such as, for example,from about one foot to about twenty feet, and any suitable height, suchas, for example, from about eight inches to about twenty-four inches,and any suitable width, such as, for example, about four inches. Skilledartisans will appreciate that the dimensions of the deck drain 40 may bemodified substantially without departing from the scope of theinvention.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated inFIGS. 6-7. The elements of FIGS. 6-7 are labeled with a prime notationthat relate to the elements of FIGS. 1-5. The elements that are notdifferent from FIGS. 1-5 require no further discussion. The embodimentof the removable top member 10′ illustrated in FIGS. 6-7 features aplurality of slots 2′ and self locking tabs 7′ on opposite ends of thebottom portion of the main body portion 1′. The removable top member 10′is designed without the lock mechanism of the second locking tab 15illustrated in previous figures. The removable top member 10′ isdesigned for simplified installation and removal as a user may detachthe removable top member 10′ without moving a locking tab to an unlockedposition. In the alternative embodiment, the removable top member 10′and self locking tabs 7′ may be a single integral unit.

A method aspect of the present invention will now be described. Themethod utilizes the deck drain 40 and the removable top member 10illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. The method may include positioning theremovable top member 10 over the opening 14 of a top portion of the deckdrain 40. The method may also include positioning the second locking tab15 in a locked position, where the locked position securely attaches theremovable top member 10 to the top portion of the deck drain 40. Theremovable top member 10 may be detached by moving the second locking tab15 to an unlocked position where detaching the removable top member 10exposes an interior portion of the deck drain 40.

Some of the illustrative aspects of the present invention may beadvantageous in solving the problems herein described and other problemsnot discussed which are discoverable by a skilled artisan. While theabove description contains much specificity, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but asexemplifications of the presented embodiments thereof. Many otherramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of thevarious embodiments. While the invention has been described withreference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents maybe substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope ofthe invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the inventionwithout departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it isintended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodimentdisclosed as the best or only mode contemplated for carrying out thisinvention, but that the invention will include all embodiments fallingwithin the scope of the appended claims. Also, in the drawings and thedescription, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of theinvention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they areunless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only andnot for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore notbeing so limited. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. donot denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second,etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, theuse of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, butrather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come tothe mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachingspresented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Thescope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims andtheir legal equivalents, and not by the examples given Therefore, it isunderstood that the invention is not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A deck drain system comprising: a deck drainhaving an elongate tube defined by a bottom portion and a top portion,the bottom portion having an arcuate shape, and the top portion beingflat and having an opening formed therein; wherein the top portion ofthe elongate tube has a plurality of slots formed therein; and aremovable top member that matingly engages the opening formed in the topportion of the elongate tube; the removable top member furthercomprising: a main body portion having a plurality of slots formedtherein, the main body portion having a first end, a second end oppositethe first end, a bottom portion, a top portion opposite the bottomportion, a first passageway formed adjacent the second end, and a secondpassageway formed adjacent the first passageway; wherein the pluralityof slots formed in the removable top member have a spacing therebetweenthat is substantially similar to a spacing between the plurality ofslots formed in the top portion; wherein the removable top member isremoveably connected to the top portion of the elongate tube so that,when removed, an interior portion of the elongate tube is accessible. 2.The deck drain system of claim 1 wherein the removable top memberfurther comprises a first locking tab formed on a bottom portion of theremovable top member thereof, adjacent to the first end of the mainbody.
 3. The deck drain system of claim 2 wherein the removable topmember comprises a second locking tab opposite the first locking tabthat is removeably connected to the removable top member; wherein thesecond locking tab comprises a bottom locking tab member and a toplocking tab member; and wherein the bottom locking tab member and thetop locking tab member are adapted to matingly engage one another. 4.The deck drain system of claim 3 wherein the top locking tab membercomprises a bottom lock tab and a position lock member both extendingdownwardly from a bottom portion thereof; wherein the bottom lock tab isadapted to engage a first passageway of the removable top member; andwherein the position lock member is adapted to engage the secondpassageway of the removable top member.
 5. The deck drain system ofclaim 4 wherein the bottom locking tab member has an opening; whereinthe bottom locking tab further comprises a pair of lips so that thebottom lock tab engages the first passageway of the removable top memberand the opening of the bottom locking tab member; and wherein the lipsof the bottom lock tab engage a pair of wall portions of the bottomlocking tab member.
 6. The deck drain system of claim 5 wherein thesecond locking tab is positionable between a locked position and anunlocked position; wherein the locked position securely attaches theremovable top member to the top portion of the elongate tube; andwherein the removable top member is detachable from the top portion ofthe elongate tube when in the unlocked position.
 7. The deck drainsystem of claim 3 wherein a space is formed between the main bodyportion of the removable top member and the first locking tab andbetween the main body portion of the removable top member and the secondlocking tab so that the first and second locking tabs engage the topportion of the elongate tube when the removable top member engages theopening formed in the top portion of the elongate tube.
 8. A removabletop member for use in connection with a deck drain system to matinglyengage an opening formed in a portion of a deck drain, the removable topmember comprising: a main body portion having a plurality of slotsformed therein, the main body portion having a first end, a second endopposite the first end, a bottom portion, a top portion opposite thebottom portion, a first passageway formed adjacent the second end, and asecond passageway formed adjacent the first passageway; a first lockingtab formed on a bottom portion thereof, adjacent the first end of themain body; a second locking tab opposite the first locking tab, thesecond locking tab comprising a bottom locking tab member and a toplocking tab member, wherein the bottom locking tab member and the toplocking tab member are adapted to matingly engage one another; whereinthe top locking tab member comprises a bottom lock tab and a positionlock member both extending downwardly from a bottom portion thereof;wherein the bottom lock tab is adapted to engage the first passageway;wherein the position lock member is adapted to engage the secondpassageway; wherein the second locking tab is positionable between alocked position and an unlocked position; wherein the locked positionsecurely attaches the removable top member to the deck drain; andwherein the removable top member is detachable from the deck drain whenin the unlocked position.
 9. The removable top member of claim 8 whereina space is formed between the main body portion and the first lockingtab and between the main body portion and the second locking tab so thatthe first and second locking tabs engage a top portion of the deck drainwhen the removable top member engages the opening formed in the deckdrain.
 10. The removable top member of claim 8 wherein the bottomlocking tab member has an opening; wherein the bottom locking tab memberfurther comprises a pair of lips so that the bottom lock tab engages thefirst passageway and the opening of the bottom locking tab member; andwherein the lips of the bottom locking tab member engage a pair of wallportions of the bottom lock tab.
 11. A method of utilizing a removabletop member that matingly engages an opening formed in a deck drain,wherein the removable top member comprises a main body portion having aplurality of slots formed therein, the main body portion having a firstend, a second end opposite the first end, a bottom portion, a topportion opposite the bottom portion, a first passageway formed adjacentthe second end, and a second passageway formed adjacent the firstpassageway, a first and second locking tab, the method comprising:positioning the removable top member over the opening of a top portionof the deck drain; positioning the second locking tab in a lockedposition within the first passageway, wherein the locked positionsecurely attaches the removable top member to the top portion of thedeck drain; and detaching the removable top member by moving the secondlocking tab to an unlocked position within the first passageway; whereindetaching the removable top member exposes an interior portion of thedeck drain.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the first locking tab isformed on a bottom portion of the removable top member thereof, adjacentthe first end of the main body.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein thesecond locking tab is formed opposite the first locking tab and isremoveably connected to the main body portion of the removable topmember; wherein the second locking tab comprises a bottom locking tabmember and a top locking tab member; and wherein the bottom locking tabmember and the top locking member are adapted to matingly engage oneanother.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the top locking tab membercomprises a bottom lock tab and a position lock member both extendingdownwardly from a bottom portion thereof; wherein the bottom lock tab isadapted to engage the first passageway; and wherein the position lockmember is adapted to engage the second passageway.
 15. The method ofclaim 14 wherein the bottom locking tab member has an opening; whereinthe bottom locking tab member further comprises a pair of lips so thatthe bottom lock tab engages the first passageway and the opening of thebottom locking tab member; and wherein the lips of the bottom lockingtab member engage a pair of wall portions of the bottom lock tab. 16.The method of claim 13 wherein a space is formed between the main bodyportion of the removable top member and the first locking tab andbetween the main body portion of the removable top member and the secondlocking tab so that the first and second locking tabs engage a topportion of the deck drain when the removable top member engages theopening formed in the top portion of the deck drain.
 17. A deck drainsystem comprising: a deck drain having an elongate tube defined by abottom portion and a top portion, and the top portion having an openingformed therein; wherein the top portion of the elongate tube has aplurality of slots formed therein; and a removable top member thatmatingly engages the opening formed in the top portion of the elongatetube; the removable top member further comprising: a main body portionhaving a plurality of slots formed therein, the main body portion havinga first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first locking tabdisposed on the first end of the main body portion, in a lengthwisedirection of the main body portion, and a second locking tab disposed onthe second end, in a lengthwise direction of the main body portion, thefirst locking tab and the second locking tab being configured so as toengage respective end faces of the of the top portion of the elongatedtube, wherein the removable top member is removeably connected to thetop portion of the elongate tube so that, when removed, an interiorportion of the elongate tube is accessible.